£10m Wellington cinema plans to be aired in public

Proposals to bring the Clifton cinema in Wellington back into use were due to get their first public airing in March but the heavy snow led to the meeting being called off.

It will now be held on April 13, at 10am, at Wellington Civic Suite.

Plans for the cinema and arts centre, in Bridge Road, include a 400-seat auditorium and 100-seat cinema.

Fiona Hunter, spokeswoman for the Clifton Steering Group, said: "All members of the community are invited to attend the April meeting to learn what progress has been made towards realising the scheme for the Community Arts Centre complex and to put questions to members of the steering group.

"The team are particularly seeking input from groups and individuals who would actively inhabit the space to provide arts, entertainment, music, cinema, participative, well-being and any other cultural or commercial activities."

Campaigners say their first target is to raise £1 million to buy the property, which opened as a cinema in 1937.

Bill Graham, chairman of the steering group, said: "We need your input now, to demonstrate to funders and grant giving bodies the need and demand for this facility both in Wellington and for Telford as a whole. As before, if you want to know how the arts centre proposal is going and want to be part of it, please be there."

The Clifton Steering Group is especially looking for volunteers whose professional skills could help with the design process, cost estimating and fundraising.

Mrs Hunter said: "If you are an architect, building surveyor, structural, services or electrical engineer, quantity surveyor or building contractor we would love to hear from you."

To join the Friends of The Clifton register at www.theclifton.org